Eagle BELVOIR
Project Elf makes holidays brighter Page A8
www.belvoireagleonline.com
December 17, 2015
Do not drink and drive By Amanda Stewart Staff writer Over the past few weeks, those entering Fort Belvoir through Tulley or Pence gates have probably noticed two crashed cars on display alongside electronic message boards with reminders about safe driving. The displays are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s holiday season safety campaign and Belvoir’s Directorate of Emergency Services arranged their display on the installation to help communicate the safe driving message to the Belvoir community. “A lot of us are traveling for the holiday season and we wanted to make sure people don’t forget about getting there safely,” said Lt. Andrew Brown, Fort Belvoir police department accident investigation supervisor. The crashed cars and electronic message boards displaying slogans such as “Buckle Up, Belvoir,” and “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving,” will be on display through Jan. 6, Brown said. “We wanted to remind people to wear their seat belts, to discourage them from driving while impaired or tired, really, anything to remind them that we care about them driving safely,” Brown said. The NHTSA holiday safety campaign emphasizes the dangers of drunken driving, which can be more common in the holiday season, when people are attending holiday parties and celebrations. NHTSA reports that 10,076 people nationwide were killed in drunken driving crashes in 2013 and, in December 2013 alone, 733 people were killed in crashes involving a drunken driver. This is the second year the crashed
Up Front Tax preparer volunteers needed
The Fort Belvoir Legal Assistance Office is looking for volunteers, military or civilian, to serve as tax preparers from mid-January to May. Training is provided and the system is easy-to-learn. Interested people are asked to call 703-805-2856.
Holiday gate closures
Walker and Telegraph gates are closed Dec. 21 through Jan. 1. The Visitors Center is closed Dec. 24 and 25; Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.
Bird Count volunteers needed
Photo by Paul Lara
A mangled vehicle at Fort Belvoir’s Tulley gate is a reminder that buzzed driving is drunken driving. cars have been part of Belvoir’s efforts you probably need to secure another to discourage drunken driving and way to get home,” Brown said. encourage traffic safety, Brown said. This month, the Fort Belvoir Army “We just want it to be a reminder Substance Abuse Program has partto say, ‘Hey, think about this before nered with the Washington Regional you drive,’” Brown said. “The biggest Alcohol Program for the SoberRide thing is that we want you to take the program, which offers free taxi rides time to ensure you get to your desti- home, up to a $30 fare, from 10 p.m. nation safely.” to 6 a.m. nightly, now through Jan. Brown said drivers should remem- 1. To use SoberRide, people 21 and ber that drunken driving, buzzed older can call 1-800-200-TAXI. AT&T driving and fatigued driving are all customers can dial #WRAP (#9727). dangerous and, if you are questioning “We want the community to keep your ability to drive safely, you should safe this holiday season,” Brown said. call a taxi or a friend or find another “Remember that the best present this way to get home. holiday season is each other, as corny “We like to not inconvenience peo- as it sounds, and you don’t want to ple. But, if you are thinking about miss being there because you didn’t whether or not you are OK to drive, drive safely.”
New commander ready to lead Army Medicine’s largest region commanding general (Support). “Readiness, which is our mission, is not going to change. Our future is uncertain and that is not going to change,” Place told the region’s leaders and senior staff who were Stressing the importance of Army Mediin Leesburg for strategic leaders training. cine’s role in ensuring America’s Army is “The current, international situation only ready to meet challenges today and into the highlights the need for constant vigilance future, Brig. Gen. Ronald J. Place became the in a dangerous world. Our Army has to be new commanding general of Regional Health ready and we are part of that,” he continued. Command-Atlantic (Provisional), Dec. 8 at Brig. Gen. “What each of you do every day helps to keep the National Conference Center in Leesburg. Ronald J. Place the Army ready.” Place took command of the region from Place acknowledged Tenhet’s leadership durBrig. Gen. Robert D. Tenhet, who served as the reing a time of transition and organizational realignment. gion’s commanding general since May 2014. Tenhet See PLACE, Page A6 will become the deputy surgeon general and deputy By Regional Health Command-Atlantic (Provisional) Office of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs
The Fort Belvoir Christmas Bird Count, CBC, is conducted this season Jan. 3. This annual count is one of the oldest in the area, dating back to 1911, and is sponsored by National Audubon Society. Bird counts help researchers better understand wintering bird populations. Interested people are asked to register through Kevin Walter, 703805-3969. Novice and experts are welcome to participate, as novices will be teamed up with seasoned birders to learn. Counters meet at Belvoir’s Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge Environmental Education Center for all start times: 5 and 7 a.m. and 1 p.m.
CFC extended
The Combined Federal Campaign has been extended more than two weeks, to Dec. 31. Information about charities and donating is available from www. cfcnca.org.
Happy holidays from the Belvoir Eagle!
We appreciate you reading our little community newspaper. After this issue, we’re on a holiday hiatus. Our first issue of 2016 comes out Jan. 7, with the deadline of 10 a.m. Jan. 4. Submissions can be e-mailed to editor@belvoireagleonline. com. Thank you!